Cameroon And Zambia Progress From Group D

byPhilip MboyaonJanuary 22, 2010

Cameroon twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Tunisia which was enough to help them qualify for the last 8 of Africa’s prestigious football tournament the Africa Cup of Nations. The Indomitable Lions who were playing without their iconic defender Rigobert Song fell behind to a 1st minute goal that caught the whole team by surprise.

Chermiti was the man on target for Tunisia as he headed in a ball that should have been saved by Carlos Kameni. I think that was the fastest goal i have ever seen and it really rattled the Cameroon defense.

The irony is that that goal was to be the last real threat from Tunisia’s forwards in the first half because Cameroon immediately turned on the heat to control possession greatly. Who was to come to Cameroon’s help after the re-start? Yep you guessed right their Captain and Africa’s all time leading goal scorer in the history of the tournament Samuel Eto’o.

In fact the goal came in the same fashion as Tunisia’s, in the the first minute of play. This brought the roar back to the lions as they again showed great courage in their pursuit to grab the winner. However, fate dealt them a hard blow in the 63rd minute when Chedjou their centre back headed in a cross past his own keeper to restore Tunisia’s lead.

This was a match packed with nonstop action as just a minute later Nguemo equalised to bring Cameroon level. A draw for the lions and a win for Zambia’s Chipolopolo’s allowed Cameroon to advance to the quarters in favour of their West African counterparts Gabon. Zambia beat Gabon 2-1 to progress the quarter finals where they will meet Nigeria.

Cameroon will be up against two-time defending champions Egypt in a re-make of the 2008 final.The tournament is starting to heat up after all the big powerhouses made it through to the quarters and i will be keenly following it to see if my team the Elephants win the trophy.